Pluck-N-Post Spring 2009
Transcription
Pluck-N-Post Spring 2009
PLUCK-N-POST THE OFFICIAL NEWSLETTER OF THE JEW’S HARP GUILD 69954 Hidden Valley Lane Cove, OR 97824 USA Volume 13, Issue1 Spring 2009 What’s Inside ● Jew's Harp International 2 A Word from the Executive Director This issue contains an abundance of news, photos and articles contributed by Jew's Harp enthusiasts from around the world. While many of the words I received got lost in translation, the music, art, spirit and love of this wonderful instrument, and the folks that hold it dear, did not. Our numbers may be small relative to other genre but our passion is great. Guild News ● 3 - 5 Notes from Italy ● 6 CD Review "Underground Sessions" ● As the festival season approaches, I urge you to play ambassador for our interest; share with others our sites and newsletters, CDs and YouTube videos... and our passion. 7 Guide to the Guild Denise Harrington ● 7 Bulletin Board & Pictorial Archive Phono Harp ● 8 New Tutorials Photo from Spiridon Schischigin - THE INTERNATIONAL CENTRE AND THE KHOMUS (TRUMP) MUSEUM OF THE WORLD PEOPLES Painting: see http://www.ilkhomus.ru/ I wish to thank Walter Maioli, Spiridon Shishigin, Bernhard Folkestad, Michael Wright and many others for their contributions to this and other newsletters. Have fun this summer and keep on harpin'. Mark D. Poss - editor / webmaster - The Jew's Harp Guild Norsk Jew’s Harp Festival 2009 will be 18th – 20th Sept. in Gjøvik http://www.munnharpe.no/ Norsk_Munnharpeforum_eng.html 2009 North American Jew's Harp Festival July 31 to August 2 Friday, Saturday, Sunday Bay City, Oregon www.jewsharpguild.org/festindx.html Pluck–N–Post Guild News A Word From the Executive Director Hello Harpers! I hope this finds each of you enjoying a wonderful spring time and that you continue to send your vibrational “twangs” throughout the universe! Plans are just starting to “sprout” for the 17th annual North America Jew’s Harp Festival to be held again at the Bay City Arts Center in Bay City, Oregon on July 31 and August 1. Check the Guild’s website (www.jewsharpguild.org) for the latest updates on festival information. Denise Harrington recently emailed and said, “The Art Center received a grant for a new sound system and Jim [her husband] went to Portland and bought it. BOSE, top of the line! Great with the acoustics...” We’re very grateful to have such talented assoc-iates and to be able to work with an organization that keeps improving its amenities. It’s likely the sound system this year will be the best ever! Thank you! Another recent email was from Michael Wright (England), General Secretary of the International Jew’s Harp Society. Fred Crane will be stepping down as Journal Editor , they are working to find a replacement Editor. Future newsletter articles will include: copyright, the Balinese geng-gong, a re-visit of John Wright’s 1970’s article on Organology, the Jew’s harp in the Law, the Crozier of William of Wykeham, at least one article on the Qua-Zulu Natal players, hopefully an article on the morchang tradition in Rajasthan and one on recent Argentinean research, plus the long-awaited final is published by the Jew's Harp Guild, 69954 Hidden Valley part of Fred Lane Cove, OR 97824 USA. Subscriptions and ad space Crane’s catalogue. are included in JHG membership. Information in this Other ideas are in newsletter is also posted on the Jew's Harp Guild Website the pipeline and (http://www.jewsharpguild.org). Newsletter submissions or they hope to bring comments may be sent to the above address or by email them to the fore, if not in the next to: issue, then by the newsletter@ jewsharpguild.org time the IJHS Janet Gohring - Executive Director meets in Hungary Mark D. Poss - Editor, Pluck-N-Post & Webmaster in 2010. They are The Jew 's Harp Guild is a non-profit organization under section also working on a 501C(3) of the Internal Rev enue Serv ice code of 1954. newsletter and © 2009 The Jew's Harp Guild getting their website up and running. PLUCK-N-POST We’re on the Web www.jewsharpguild.or 2 If you’re interested in membership or submitting an article to the newsletter, contact Michael at [email protected] I’d like to thank all our current members who renewed their 2009 membership … and especially thank the many of you who have chosen to “go green” with an electronic subscription to “Pluck ‘n’ Post”. In these troubled environmental and financial times, each and every conscious effort to conserve helps tremendously … not only to insure the Guild’s website and newsletter will continue … but also to honor and preserve Mother Earth and all her inhabitants. I’m continually amazed at all the cool Jew’s Harp related videos there are on www.YouTube.com. It’s interesting to find many of our international JH friends there and to see what new things they are doing with the Jew’s harp. I especially enjoyed the clips from last year’s NAJHF and I’m very grateful to the folks who took the time to post them there. Until next time … keep twangin’ !! Janet Gohring Executive Directory "Be the change you wish to see in the world." Gandhi 2009 Jew’s Harp Guild Officers: Janet Gohring, Executive Director Ingrid Berkhout, Board Member at Large, Coordinator NAJHF Collective Committee Ralph Christensen, Board Member at Large Welcome to our newest Guild Members: Grass Roots Membership: Gary Nunokawa Washington State Hank Plow Arizona Robert MacPherson Pennsylvania Jim Kielma Canada Scott Bowker Illinois Supporting Membership: Walter Maioli (Sound Center “Synaulia in Stabiae, International Laboratory, Sounds Music and Dances from Roman antiquity) Naples, Italy; Ralph Christensen, California (Ralph is not a new member but many thanks to him for becoming our very first “Supporting Member”.) Top Twanger - Cliff Hunt Arizona Pluck–N–Post 2009 – Italy Notes From Italy scacciapensieri = mafia Contributed by Walter Maioli 3 "Il silenzio è mafioso" Italian ROMA 29 – 1 2009 - Parole dure contro il presidente della Repubblica a una manifestazione dell'Italia dei Valori. Antonio Di Pietro ha accusato Napolitano di non essere un "arbitro imparziale" e di tacere su alcuni temi come la giustizia e il Lodo Alfano. Le critiche hanno provocato subito la reazione del mondo politico. Da Montecitorio è stata espressa solidarietà al presidente e anche il Quirinale ha replicato giudicando "offensivo" contestare presunti "silenzi". English translation Il presidente della Repubblica Napolitano scacciapensieri..... on the first page Indissolubly in Italy in the collective imaginary the Jew’s Harp symbolizes the mafia. Here it’s on the first page of the 2009 as soon as they speak of mafia, and not only also the "silence" it’s mafioso. ROME 29 - 1 2009 - Hard words against the president of the Republic to a manifestation of the values of Italy. Antonio Di Peter has accused Napolitano not to be a " impartial arbitrator" and tacere [sic] on some topics like the justice and Lodo Alfano. The critics have quickly provoked the reaction of the political world. From Montecitorio it has been expressed solidarity to the president and also the Quirinale has replied judging "offensivo" to presumed contest " silenzi". Walter Maioli appears among the 199 Jew's harp Specialists of the World (Antropodium Mouth Harp Pages) He has "traditionally" played the Mouth Harp since he was a boy He employed it with the group Aktuala, by him founded, recording in 1974 the LP "The Earth". In 1998 plays the Jew's harp with the Siberian singer of Tuva, Sainko, in the CD "Naked Spirit". From more than 20 years he shares friendship of the Dutch Phons Bakx, become an authority in the knowledge and in the relaunch of the Mouth harp. Walter experiments the instrument in the minimal music and the sound therapy. Born in Milan in 1950, artist, researcher, paleorganologist, composer and prehistoric futurist flutist and multi-instrumentist, specialist in the Sounds of Nature - Experimental archaeology and Music - Archaic sonorous cultures – Archaeo acoustic and Ancient sonorous landscapes - Nature's electronic explorations and rediscovery of the psichoacoustic powers of the archetypal sounds. Acoustic plannings between nature and technology.Precursor - innovator, from more than thirty five years applies his researches on the sounds and the origins of the musical instruments & the music in the spectacle, in the tourism, in the didactics and in the sound therapy, realizing concerts, lectures, seminars, laboratories, expositions, Artworks, installations, CD’s, books, sounds and music’s for the theater, video and film. Precursor of the music of the Mediterranean and the World Music. He has developed hundreds of concerts with the "Sounds of Prehistory" and with the group Synaulia, founded by him, presenting the musical instruments of the classical antiquity. Author of various publications, among which: Walter Maioli, "The Origins: The Sound and the Music" - Jaca Book, Milan 91. Notes From Italy Pluck–N–Post Continued 4 Inscribed to the INTERNATIONAL JEW'S HARP SOCIETY & the THE JEW'S HARP GUILD N. 1 The first results of The Mouth Harp Corner February 10 th 2009 They are gathered Walter Maioli, Luce Maioli, Ivan Gibellini, Katello and Nino Galasso, that together with Nathalie van Ravenstein are the basic components of the L’Angolo dello Scacciapensieri. Audio recordings and photos are taken. Musicians Katello aka Catello Gargiulo, 24 years, born in Casola, Naples, musician, besides playing the tromma (the gypsies' trumpet as it's called the mouth harp in the province of Campagna) of which is a capable continuator of the traditions, he plays the organetto, the tammorra (frame drum), the castanetes and sings. Nino Galasso, 30 years, born in Castellammare di Stabia, Naples, instrumentalist, plays the tammorra, the tromma, the castanetes and sings. Builder and restorer, studious of the popular traditions of the Gulf in Naples. Researcher, among which of the elderly ones, depositaries of the ancient practices. Promoter of courses, for the search of young talents, and of demonstrations to revalue and keep alive "the festivities of once". Recordings Ivan Gibellini Photos Luce Maioli Coordination Walter Maioli The red for the fortune and the fertility The threads are a visualization of the sounds, a synesthetic research For the tradition the ribbons and colored tassels give a magic protection against the hex. “A tromma portafortuna” contro il malocchio“The lucky charm mouth harp” against the hex. By Domenico Bevilacqua Two snakes have twisted, it sprouts out a horn and a heart, and three bells tinkle as soon as you touch it. It's the wonder of a mouth harp and together with it Katello that knows how to give "the touch" and to activate it in the correct way, to give it the full voice and make it vibrate to the rhythm of the tarantela. L' original instrument is realized by Domenico Bevilacqua, one of the last custodians of the tradition of builders of tromma, job typical of the gypsies. Domenico tells when with his father and 8 brothers they realized them for the festivities of country, in an angle to them assigned, a forge to produce mouth harps, even custom designed. Now to realize a furnace in the middle of the road is decidedly forbidden, only during the rare demonstrations of experimental archaeology these things are seen (as we do for experimental archaeology on the Etruscans & Romans with Angel Bartoli of Antiquitates). “A tromma”The neapolitan gypsies mouth harp by Domenico Bevilacqua, one of the last rare builders Notes From Italy Pluck–N–Post Coninued With YouTube… a world that ends… But does it begin another one? Which? 5 Katello & Nino Galasso, in the shoulders the Vesuvius, on the terrace of the Campus RAS - Restoring Ancient Stabiae Foundation, Vesuvian International Institute for Archaeology and Humanities in Castellammare di Stabiain the Gulf of Naples. that houses of L’Angolo dello Scacciapensieri. Katello doesn't know Michael Wright and Tran Quang, he doesn't also know about the For the traditional music, from oral Yakutia, of the Papua and of the Ainus. He transmission and above all pre-oral, we have has felt, vaguely, that exist various mouth reached the terminal, an epoch is closed, harps and that they play it quiet around the that of the involuntary stylistic contaminworld, but he has not yet seen well ation among people, ethnics and traditions, YouTube, he is totally absorbed by the definitely started on wide scale in the years popular music, that here is daily matter, 30 of last century with the beginning of the with festivities and recurrences, marriages radio transmissions and of the massive and celebrations. diffusion of the recorded music. Therefore, Katello, represents one of the Therefore, It will be more and more last authentic carriers of the traditions, difficult to find, a Katello, a musician that more on the threshing floor with the farmers still plays a "corner" instrument as the and the village feasts, than in front of a mouth harp, in a way stylistically not concomputer and in the discos. Result: when taminated, performing his own musical he plays the tarantella with the mouth harp traditions without having received external he puts you the quicksilver in the body, that influences. something that is on the pentagram and And it's for this reason that in this histhat all of us mouth harp players of the torical phase, it is important to discover, to world we can try to imitate, but for the safe-guard, to encourage, to transmit, to magic that is "the music" it will never be the know how to introduce and to put in the tarantella of the Gulf that Katello knows global village in appropriate way this extrahow to reveal. ordinary cultural patrimony that the mouth With YouTube, but also with Myspace, harp con-stitutes, in all of its aspects, from concrete symbols of the net, we have def- the tradition to the experimental music, from initely entered in the global village, where the professionals to the impassioned ones quietly in own house the turn of the world and why not, also the “thoughtless”, procan be made, seeing the most disparate vided that they doesn't invade completely things and meeting friends with which to the field. speak beyond every filter. All of this is bringing to a fast cultural transformation. For what regards the music, by Walter Maioli & Il Centro del Suono © they are born some problematic, because it's without a distinction of categories: musicians professionals, semiprofessional, Club l’Angolo dello Scacciapensieri © amatory etc. everything gets mixed up, Club The Mouth Harp Corner © therefore it happens that great and valid at the laboratory Synaulia in Stabiae in the musicians are submerged and surrounded RAS Campus at Castellammare di Stabia by dozens of "thoughtless" videos and pages, www.soundcenter.it and nothing has a reference anymore, neither cultural, or historic…nothing, only… a trash of video. CD Review Pluck–N–Post UNDERGROUND SESSIONS 1 through 4 Jew's Harp Trio Aubergine reviewed by M. D. Poss IBAN - NL36 RABO 0335 0806 69 Every so often someone undertakes a project that is audacious in both concept and execution. This is the case with "The Underground Sessions" by the Jew's Harp Trio Aubergine. Their promotional material explains: "The Underground Sessions obtains [sic] to be the largest project on recording of the Jew´s harp that is ever realized in the history of this instrument. 21 musical sessions were organized in the subterranean room of a former bread bakery in Holland. In the period of the four seasons of 2008, the Jew’s harp Trio Aubergine has performed (and recorded) 301 improvisations, integrally developed into 17 hours, 14 minutes and 14 seconds of an own kind (three-voiced) Jew’s harp music." "But only the top results would be released in the series of four audio-CD’s in a red, green, blue and yellow-ochre design. The main part of the sessions is dedicated to the three-voiced sound play on the Jew's harp, quite an unfamiliar ground in respect to its ancient traditions. In principle each player of the trio used the number of 13 Jew´s harps that is assorted in a chromatic tone scale of one octave (from C to c). " The Jew's Harp Trio Aubergine are: Janus Filiu, Phons Bakx, and Izz van Elk, all well known 'harpers from Northern Netherlands and all exceptional players. They used over 60 different 'harps by various makers totaled in the recordings and, to my ear, explored the many qualities of each. A few of the recordings also include other instruments, primarily a drum but the bulk are just three 'harps. The placement of each player in the stereo field is maintained across all the CDs so you can tell consistantly who is playing. The recording quality is unsurpassed. Each CD includes copious liner notes. 6 Being improvisations, each track is something unexpected. They range from whimsical to studied; regional to worldly; somberesque to exhuberant. Upon repeated listenings you will find different nuances in each instrument and sometimes unfathomable techniques employed by the players. My only complaint is that they did not vary the mood inherent within the different keys enough and often hit the same rhythm (beats per minute) as previous tracks. But, if you're like me and wear your personal MP3 player while taking a walk, you'll find yourself trumping along at a brisk pace These CDs are an astute study into the infinite musical possiblities to be found in this wonderful instrument. Any and all 'harpers should covet the complete set. Order information: 1CD: 10 euro 4 CD's: 40 euro publisher: Foundation Antropodium Lijsterbeslaan 19 - 4334 BM Middelburg (NL) telefoon: ++.118 - 624 934 e-mail address: [email protected] http://www.antropodium.nl/Souterrain %20Sessies.htm The Jew's Harp Trio Aubergine The 1000 Names of the Jew's Harp a Nomenclature by Phons Bakx (now on the internet) http://www.antropodium.nl/Duizend%20Namen%20Mhp.htm Pluck–N–Post Festival Organizer Denise Harrington GUIDE TO THE GUILD in her own words Years ago, I met my Bodhisattva on a trailless mountain pass in the Sierra Nevada Range. In 1993 he called me out of the clear blue and suggested I meet Gordon Frazier. I called Gordon Frazier and was invited to attend the Second Annual North American Jew’s Harp Festival, which was called something else at the time. Being at the festival was almost like a reoccurring dream. In each dream with the same fine musicians in attendance, I always left with a handful of beautiful harps from around the world and vibrational tones massaging my brain. newsletter@ jewsharpguild.org Pictorial Archive PHONO HARP From the Eddie Marchant collection Wiltshire, UK Since 1993, I have attended most of the Jew’s Harp festivals, often pregnant or with a newborn. Our two children have grown up with the Jew’s Harp and Martin NelsonHarrington, our son, has a popular You Tube duet with Ingrid Berkhout. Elizabeth always entertains children of all ages at the festival and dances to the inspirational music. I appreciate the Jew’s harp for its meditative qualities, unique and diverse range of sound, small size, and presence in many cultures. The festival is about more than the harp, it is about those friendships I have developed with unique and loving people; people I would have never met if not for that funny little instrument I love so much. Denise Email your questions, comments, news, and other related items to: 7 Bulletin Board Steven Stoop, a Jew's Harp maker from The Netherlands, Now has a new website at: http://members.tele2.nl/stevenstoop Join us At The 2009 North American Jew's Harp Festival Hi there,I have an interest in Scientific Instruments including Mechanical Music.In my collection I have a Jews Harp which might be of interest to you.It is called a "Phono-Harp" and is 5in long and with a "mouth" of 3.5in diameter.I have its original box which has illustrated labels saying "Made in England", "Patent No 11185/31" and "Brassed and Lacquered".I will send you some photos by email.Regards, Eddie Marchant. July 31 to August 2 Friday, Saturday, Sunday Bay City Arts Center 5680 A Street Bay City, OR 97107 Tutorials Pluck–N–Post 8 Play the Jaw Harp is a fun and easy way to learn how to play the jaw harp. This step-bystep mini-course by Grammy winner and master jaw harp player David Holt takes you from beginning to advanced levels. You’ll learn songs and melodies, how to make cartoon sounds, talk through it to your friends and play catchy, rhythmic tunes. You’ll also hear wonderful music performed by the world’s best jaw harp players. Play along with them to perfect your chops. Included with this CD is a FREE Jubilee jaw harp made for us in Austria. This high-quality instrument is crafted from the finest spring steel, has a bright, pure tone and is easy to play. PLAY THE JAW HARP With David Holt For years I have played family concerts of mountain music. I figure I have played for over a million children in live concerts. My goal has been to entertain them with old time music...no easy task in today's hip hop world. With banjo, guitar, steel guitar, harmonica and a variety of instrumental sounds I have learned to captivate most audiences. But even with all this musical variety, young people always seem to enjoy the sound of the Jew's harp the most. There is something in the sound of this humble instrument that speaks to the child in all of us. It speaks to our inner-twang. We debated whether we should go to the expense and trouble to create new packaging and a CD version of our Jew’s harp and instructional cassette tape package. It was going to cost a lot and in this economy it didn't seem like a good time to gamble, but at one of my concerts I once again saw the kids’ eyes light up when the Jew's harp started. Clearly, we needed to forge ahead and get this out in CD form. So, here it is. Start with step-by-step instructions on how to play the jaw harp. Then listen to this list of musical selections: Cripple Creek – Fred Whitlow on jaw harp, David Holt on banjo Rabbit in the Pea Patch – Fred Whitlow Arkansas Traveler – Fred Whitlow on jaw harp, David Holt on banjo Double Cripple Creek – Fred Whitlow and David Holt on jaw harp Black Eyed Susie – Fred Whitlow Breaking Up Christmas – Mike Seeger Pap’s Billy Goat Gruff – John McCutcheon Turkey in the Straw – David Holt March of the King of Lear - Lindsay Porteous Bavarian Dance – Helmuth & Fritz Mayr Jews Harp Bill – Greene Brothers The Old Gray Horse – Obed Pickard Walking in the Parlor – Obed Pickard Etude #2 – Wayne Hankin Percussive Harp Solo – David Holt US$15.00 plus shipping and handling. Order online at www.davidholt.com (VISA, MasterCard, AMEX) or by mail: High Windy Audio PO Box 553 Fairview, NC 28730 USA (800)637-8679; (828)628-1728 Mouth Music Press Online Tutorial Mouth Music Press ( www.mouthmusic.com / www.jewsharp.com) has posted a free "low-frills" "How to Play the Steel Trump" tutorial slideshow in several different formats (HTML, OpenOffice.org, MS PowerPoint, and PDF). Check it out at: www.mouthmusic.com/tutorial/ or www.jewsharp.com/tutorial/ Hand made and Tuned $33 each Lindsay Porteous Scottish Champion Jawharpist Tutor Pack How to play and have fun with the Jew's Harp Book, CD, or cassette with harp (Book, CD or cassette may also be purchased separately) Jew's Harp & Mouthbow Tutor Cassettes (Keys A through G) (Please specify key when ordering) Meditational / Healing Jew's harp -$39 (tuned to the pitch of your voice) Blue Dolphin Jew's harp $33 (Free tones - rich with long sustainment, works air well) Free shipping in US Gohring Jew’s Harps 69954 Hidden Valley Lane Cove OR 97824 gohringjewsharp at eoni.com New CDs: The Art of the Pickin' Bow & The Art of the Trump For list and information: Lindsay Porteous Tron House Culross, Fife, KY12 8JG Scotland Phone: ++01383-880271 TRUMPS FOR SALE Hörzing & Wimmer from Austria Szilágyi from Hungary Schlütter from Germany Items from Russia China - India – Vietnam MouthBows CDs & Tapes www.mouthmusic.com www.jewsharp.com Mouth Music Press PO Box 6444 - Boise, ID. 83707 USA Credit Card Orders 208.841.8780 [email protected] The Jew's Harp Guild Jew’s Harps, Flutes and Percussion From Various Cultures w w w .danmoi.de CLOTHING Specify Style, size and quantity when ordering. Price plus shipping (within the United States: Add $3; Canada add $4; All other countries add $6). All prices in US dollars. 5 - Original Guild T Shirts (no quote by Huey P. Long) $15 Festival T-Shirts Special $10 each John Palmes: Singer/Folk Musician Workshops: Mouthbow, Harmony Singing, Songwriting Mouthbow: Bach, J.S. to Brown, James 2003 Fest T's (light blue with red octopus) - 5 2005 Fests T's (shell and harp) - 2tan Youth L, 3 M light green adult, 6 L light green adult “Any excuse to get out of Alaska in the winter!” [email protected] www.efolkmusic.org 2006 Fest T's (beige with brown harp collection) 3 XL, 1M RECORDINGS Only $12 plus shipping (within the United States: Add $3; Outside the US add $5). All prices in US dollars. North American Jew's Harp Festival 1998 - 2000 Highlights “Twenty-two samples from three years of the NAJHF are as diverse as anyone could imagine. There are a passel of world-class players; wonderful solo improvisations; compelling duets; tradition; frivolity.” - Fred Crane, PNP 2003 Check or Money Order to The Jew's Harp Guild 69954 Hidden Valley Lane – Cove, Oregon 97824 USA http://www.jewsharpguild.org Your Ad Here? Free business card size ad with JHG membership
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